“But, Alex…” There was a whining note in Joshua’s voice.
“I think Alexandria is being very fair, Joshua.” Aidan’s tone brooked no argument, and Joshua subsided immediately.
She was oddly grateful to Aidan. Ordinarily Joshua would have tried to wear her down. And right now she was so tired it seemed difficult to think or function properly. Her eyes were streaming, and the muted sunlight was searing her arms and face. She wanted to cry, to scream against the fate that had done this to her. All along she had hoped Aidan wasn’t really telling her the truth. That he merely had some devious reason for trying to convince her to believe him.
We will be home soon, cara. The words moved through her mind, wrapping her in velvet and warmth like the comfort of his arms.
“I can’t accept this.” She said it aloud, oblivious to the fact that Joshua sat between them, all ears. “I just can’t, Aidan.” It was a measure of her state of mind that she had said anything that might upset Joshua. She was always so careful around him.
Aidan’s hand slid lower down her back, tangling in her silky hair, linking them together. “Do not worry so. All will be well,” he said, easily smoothing over the moment.
The car pulled to a stop, and Stefan opened the door on Aidan’s side. Instantly unfiltered sunlight poured in, a streak of heat and light, and Alexandria knew immediately that Stefan had been instructed to open Aidan’s door rather than her own. Aidan, as always, was protecting her from her own folly. Even with his large frame blocking out most of the light, throwing a protective shadow over her, she clenched her teeth against the burning sensation. With her eyes closed behind the dark glasses, she kissed the top of Joshua’s head. “Have a good day, Josh. See you tonight.” She was astonished that she could sound so normal.
“Will you be there when I get home?” he asked anxiously. He still hated letting her out of his sight, still feared he would lose her. Lately, the feeling had crept into his dreams—nightmares, really—that Alexandria was gone far from him forever. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and buried his face on her shoulder.
“What is it, Josh?” At once, her own fears and physical pain were swept aside so that she could comfort him.
“Nothing bad is going to happen to you, is it?” His anxiety was in his voice, in the tautness of his small body.
Alexandria wanted to answer him, to reassure him, but the words caught in her throat and refused to come out. Only a tiny sound escaped, of something between terror and pain.
“I will be with Alexandria while you are at school, Joshua,” Aidan said softly, the smooth, easy pitch of his voice so pure, it was impossible not to believe him. “I will never allow anything or anyone to harm her. You have my word on that. And even if she is resting when you get home, she will be up in the evening to be with you.”
In his sister’s arms, Joshua visibly relaxed, and Aidan patted the boy’s head, a rush of affection unexpectedly washing over him. Joshua was wrapping himself around his heart.
But behind the dark glasses, Aidan’s eyes were restless, searching, an uneasiness growing in him. He was able to tolerate the light of morning, but the price of being Carpathian, a creature of the darkness, would eventually steal up on him and claim his great strength.
“I’ll be home at two-thirty,” Joshua announced like a little adult, and he kissed Alexandria one last time.
“Your lunch,” Stefan reminded him, handing the boy the backpack Marie had purchased for him a few days earlier.
“Thanks, Stefan,” Joshua called as he ran after a boy who had already become his friend. “Jeff! Hey! Wait up.”
Alexandria tried to watch him run, but the light nearly blinded her, like needles piercing her pupils, making them water continually. She had no option but to close her eyes tightly. She drew her knees up and huddled miserably against the back seat. Aidan shifted, a mere rustling on the rich leather, but she could feel the warmth and comfort of his solid frame beside her. Still, she didn’t want his comfort. She didn’t want anything to do with him. He had promised Joshua that he would look after her, that she would always be there for the boy, but she couldn’t face living the life of a creature existing off the blood of others. No sun. No day. No real sharing of Joshua’s life. She groaned softly and covered her face with her hands.